Elista 2006: Kramnik agrees to play (under protest)

10/2/2006 – Just half an hour before the scheduled start of game six Vladimir Kramnik has issued a statement saying he will in fact play the game, but under protest and conditional to a later clarification of the status of game five. "I had to assess between personal interests and those of the entire chess world," Kramnik said. Statement and support from colleagues.

Official statement and protest on the decision made by FIDE

To FIDE President H.E. Kirsan Iljumshinov
To the WCC Appeals Committee

On 2 October 2006 my manager received the following decision from FIDE:

“Tomorrow, 2 October 2006, at 15.00, the 6th Game of the World Chess
Championship Match a Topalov-Kramnik with the score 3:2 in favour of Kramnik,
will take place.”

Based on this decision I make the following statement:

I inform that I am ready to proceed playing the match by reserving all
my rights. My further participation will be subject to the condition to
clarify my rights regarding game five at later stage.

I do not agree with the decision made by FIDE and I formally protest
against it. The decisions made on my requests, especially the resignation
of the Appeals Committee, opening the toilets to the restrooms again, are
chrystal clear admissions of FIDE of having taken a false decision. Logically
FIDE admits herewith that it was a mistake to start game five by violating
the rules and regulations of the competition and by changing the agreed
playing rules and conditions during the match without my approval.

I deeply regret the unsportsmanlike and unequaled behaviour of my opponent
whom FIDE donated a victory outside of the board by using dirty tricks.

High level functionaries inside FIDE once again were making the professional
part of the chess world a disgraceful playground of their own interests.
I strongly believe and hope that the course of these events made it obvious
to everyone that drastic changes with regard to the professional management
structures inside FIDE are evident.

By deciding just a couple of hours ago I had to assess between my personal
interests and the interests of the entire chess world. It is very difficult
to play under these circumstances. But I came to the conclusion to proceed
under protest because I do not want to disappoint the overwhelming majority
of the chess fans which are hoping for the unification since so many years.

I also had in mind the people of Kalmykia which are doing their utmost to
organize this match on the highest level possible.

Last but not least I would like to thank very much for all the support I experienced
during these days.

Open Letter of Support to Vladimir Kramnik from Grandmaster Colleagues.

October 2, 2006

Dear Vladimir,

We are writing as a small group of Grandmasters, but we believe that we represent
the views of the vast majority of our colleagues. We simply wanted to let you
know that we think you have suffered a gross injustice, and that you have our
support.

We appreciate that you are now under immense psychological pressure, and that
it must be difficult to continue to play well in the context of such blatant
bias, unfairness, and hostility.

Good luck in the days ahead. If you manage to win in these circumstances you
will be a worthy champion indeed.

See also

10/28/2006 – A few days ago we published an accusatory interview by Veselin Topalov. In his reply Vladimir Kramnik's manager Carsten Hensel calls Topalov's allegations nothing but a pitiful excuse after a major sporting defeat. He also releases some additional details regarding the video surveillance of Kramnik's restroom.Discuss

10/27/2006 – Veselin Topalov, who earlier this month lost his world championship title to Vladimir Kramnik, has been holding back with his views on the controversial happenings that accompanied the event. Now he has let loose in an interview with journalist Gert Ligterink in the Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant. Topalov: 'At night I dream about Kramnik.'Discuss

Discuss

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